Platform



Feb. 23, 1960 E. QARSQ 2,925,978

PLATFORM Filed Nov. 27, 1957 may \L 19 INVENTOR.

Mi tie/v5.37 M41960 "Fm-3.6 WM 7 United v States Patent PLATFORM Ernest Mar-so, New York, NY. Application November 27, 1957, Serial No. 699,342 3 Claims. (Cl. 248-120) This invention relates generally to platforms and specially to portable platforms such as those used in lift truck operations and in the storage and transportation of goods.

Conventional platforms in present use are frequently heavy, cumbersome and difiicult to store when not in use. Their weight and bulk is such that, of necessity, when associated with the shipment of goods they are responsible for a substantial amount of the shipping costs; and when stored, they require a considerable amount "or space.

The present invention solves these diificulties by providing a disassemblable platform, the component parts of which may be stored in a flattened conditionthereby occupying a minimum of space. The platform is preferably composed of a material such as corrugated paper board, thereby insuring a lightweight but inherently strong construction. Moreover, as hereinafter pointed out, in one form of the invention, the platform is adapted for use as a box, thereby further insuring a lightweight construction by virtue of the elimination of what would otherwise be a separate and distinct portion of a conventional box, viz., its bottom portion.

In addition to the foregoing advantages, the economy inherent in the mode of construction and materials which are appropriate thereto, make it economically feasible to discard the platform, if desired.

Other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description as read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of one component of said embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 is another fragmentary perspective view of the said component depicted in Fig. 2, as seen from a diiferent position;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another component of the said embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of an assembled portion of this form of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional elevation taken about the line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a cutaway perspective view of a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 8 is an end view showing the component illustrated in Fig. 4 in a flattened condition.

As shown in Fig. l of the accompanying drawing, one form of the invention comprises a rectangular base 10 which is supported by at least one leg, generally designated by the numeral 11. At least one rectangular aperture 12 is included in the base 10; and disposed at two opposite sides of said aperture there are a pair of depending flaps 13 integral with the base 10 and having a plurality of aligned vertical slots 14.

Said depending flaps 13 may be suitably formed from the base 10, as by stamping therefrom, and bent in the direction of the arrows shown in Fig. 2 until they are in the vertical position illustrated in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 4 there is depicted the aforesaid leg 11, which is of a hollow construction, the said leg having four vertical walls disposed in a rectangular conformation. A plurality of aligned vertical slots 15 are formed in two opposite walls 16 of said leg. It is to be noted that the mid-portions 17 of said walls 16 are higher than their end portions 18. The remaining walls 19 of said leg have upper portions 20 which are on the same level as the upper surfaces of end portions 18 of walls 16.

If desired, leg 11 may be constructedfrom a single strip of material, the ends of which are joined at as by a suitable tape 11b.

Whe the depending flaps 13 are in the vertical position depicted in Fig. 3, they may be assembled with leg'11 as shown in Fig. 5. In the latter figure, where the view is directed upwards at the lower portion of base 10, leg 11 is assembled in a position wherein slots '14 embrace the sides of walls 16 and slots 15 embrace the sides of flaps 13. The midportions 17 of walls 16, in this assembly, are disposed between flaps 13 and have their upper surfaces on the same level with the upper surface of the'base 10. In this position also, the upper surfaces of walls 19 and the upper surfaces of end portions 18 of walls 16 are in contact with the lower surface of the base 10.

In the aforesaid assembled position, the platform may be used .to support loads resting upon the upper surface of the base 10. With this arangement, the load may be brought into contact with the upper surfaces of the midportions 17 of walls 16, as well as the surrounding portions of the upper surface of the base 10, and since the upper surfaces of walls 19 and of end portions 18 of walls 16 contact the lower surface of base 10, there will be a tendency to distribute said load evenly upon all four walls 16, 19 of the leg.

The form of the invention shown in Fig. l utilizes a plurality of legs assembled as aforesaid, these legs being aligned so that their walls are parallel to the adjacent edges of the base 10; and said legs may be spaced in rows and columns, as indicated in this figure, so as to permit the reception of the forks of a conventional lift truck.

Thus, the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1 may be easily moved from place to place, as by lift trucks, and may also be used for stationary storage purposes. In practice, it has been found that the legs of this form of the invention may also withstand a considerable amount of friction and wear and tear such as is encountered in sliding and dragging said form of the invention.

Fig. 7 shows a modified form of the invention which has the same advantages set forth above in connection with the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1. However, the base 10a in this modified form of the invention is integral with the side walls 21 of a box having conventional cover pieces 22. This form of the invention is particularly useful where it is desired to enclose, as well as to support, loads upon the base of the invention, as, for example, when they are shipped over long distances or where they must be protected from the effects of the natural elements.

When the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1 is not in use, it is to be noted that each leg-may be removed and stored in a flattened condition, effected by bending walls 19 into contact with adjacent walls 16, as shown in Fig. 8. Flaps 13 may also be bent upwards so as to be aligned with the surface of the base 10. Since each component of this form of the invention is thus made substantially fiat, a minimum of storage space will be required when said form of the invention is in a disassembled condition.

Disassembly of each leg 11 and alignment of the flaps with the base 10a of the form of the invention shown in Fig. 7 may also be accomplished, if desired.

Reassembly of the components in both of said forms of the invention may be effected, as desired.

For ease in assembly and to prevent excessive wear and tear, the ends 13a of the flaps 13 and the ends 14a, 15a of the slots 14, 15 may be rounded.

As noted hereinabove, the aforesaid forms of the invention are preferably constructed of corrugated paper board. However, they may also be constructed of other suitable materials, as desired.

The embodiments of the invention illustrated and described hereinabove have been selected for the purpose of clearly setting forth the principles involved. It will be apparent, however, that the present invention is susceptible to being modified in respect to details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts which may be resorted to Without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim:

1. An improved platform comprising in combination a base having a plurality of rectangular apertures communicating with the upper and lower surfaces of said base, a pair of flaps integral with said base and depending therefrom at opposite sides of each of said apertures, said flaps having a plurality of aligned slots, and a plurality of hollow legs each having four vertical walls disposed in rectangular conformation, at least two of said walls being 4 received in said slots, the said two walls of each leg also extending into each of said rectangular apertures and abutting against the sides of said apertures formed by the said flaps.

2. A device according to claim 1, each of said legs being open at the top and bottom portions thereof, the said legs being vertically slidable into engagement with the said flaps and apertures.

3. An improved platform comprising in combination a base having at least one rectangular aperture, a pair of flaps integral with said base and depending therefrom at opposite sides of said aperture, said flaps having. a plurality of aligned slots, at least one hollow leg formed unitarily and having four walls disposed in a rectangular conformation, at least two of said walls being removably received in said slots, the mid-portions of the said two walls being disposed between said flaps and extending to the upper surface of said base, the upper surfaces of the end portions of the said two walls and the upper surfaces of the remaining walls of said leg being in contact with the lower surface of said base.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,348,483 Lacy May 9, 1944 2,507,588 Brandon May 16, 1950 2,692,747 Strauss Get. 26, 1954 2,696,356 Baumann Dec. 7, 1954 

